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Don't waste time and money removing layers of old stuck-on wallpaper. Paint the wallpaper for an inexpensive change of scenery. Yes, it can be done and the secret to success is in the preparation. You have to secure any loose wallpaper, clean the surface and apply an oil-based primer before you paint. The moisture in latex primer can loosen the adhesive, causing bubbles to rise under the paper later so don't skimp on the primer. Follow the proper preparation steps to ensure success.

1

Remove the pictures and outlet covers from the walls and cover the floor with drop cloths. Clean the dust and cobwebs with a clean, damp cloth. Remove the nails from the wall with the claw end of a hammer and fill the nail holes with vinyl spackling material. Use a damp cloth to remove excess spackling.

2

Inspect the wallpaper for loose areas. Secure every piece of loose paper to the wall with wallpaper adhesive. Use a utility knife to make a slit in bubbled areas of paper. Fill a small syringe with wallpaper adhesive and push it under the paper. Roll the area with a small seam roller to smooth out air bubbles. Wipe off the excess adhesive with a damp cloth.

3

Smooth, level raised seams with a fine-grit sanding block. Sand the seam gently to avoid tearing the paper. Wipe the sanding debris off with a clean, damp cloth.

4

Apply a thin bead of waterproof painter's caulk to the perimeter of the walls at the ceiling and the baseboard with a caulking gun to seal the edges and prevent peeling wallpaper later. Caulk the edges of the wallpaper adjacent to cabinets and the shower. Smooth the caulk bead with your finger and remove excess caulk with a damp cloth.

5

Cut in the perimeter of the walls with oil-based, stain-blocking primer using a 2-inch, tapered paintbrush. Cut in above the baseboards, around cabinets, below crown molding and in corners. Use the paintbrush to cut in everywhere that a roller can't access.

6

Pour primer into a paint pan and insert a medium-nap roller cover onto a paint roller. Apply a coat of primer to the walls and allow it to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Apply a second coat of primer and allow it to dry. The walls are ready to be skim-coated with joint compound or painted.

7

Skim-coat heavily textured walls with fast-drying joint compound and a taping knife. Fill a mud tray with the joint compound. Scoop the compound out of the tray with the taping knife and spread a thin, smooth layer on the walls. Wipe the excess joint compound off the corner edges of the knife after each scoop. Allow the compound to dry completely for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. This step is optional but required for a flat finish. Textured walls can be painted for a textured look.

8

Sand the dried walls smooth using an electric sander and fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the sanding dust off the walls with a clean, damp cloth. Apply two coats of primer to skim-coated walls before you paint.

Things You Will Need

Drop cloths

Clean cloths

Hammer

Vinyl spackling material

Wallpaper adhesive

Utility knife

Small syringe

Seam roller

Fine-grit sanding block

Waterproof painter's caulk

Caulking gun

Stain blocking, oil-based primer

2-inch, tapered paintbrush

Paint pan

Medium-nap roller cover

Roller handle

Fast-drying joint compound

Taping knife

Mud tray

Electric sander

Tips

Skim-coating is an optional step required when a completely flat substrate is desired for painting. This step can be omitted.

About the Author

Mona Culberson began working on the assembly line at a large manufacturing company in 1983, where she worked her way up into several positions of business responsibility. In 2005, she began a career in roofing, interior design and remodeling. She works daily as a professional painter/home remodeler/handywoman while lending her husband's roofing business a helping hand in her spare time.